Sunny days and warm weather are made for weekend trips to the farmers market, spontaneous roadside stand stops, and endless fresh Ontario produce. This summer don’t let your precious food scraps go to waste.

Here are 5 clever ways to use your kitchen food scraps from cleaning to beauty, and beyond:

Vegetable Broth Base
Simply save your food scraps in a Ziploc bag and store them in your freezer. Once the bag is full, place the scraps into a pot of boiling water for 45 minutes. Et voila; you’ll have a rich, flavourful broth.
Reminder: If you can't use every scrap, ask your site team about your building’s compost program.

Plant Fertilizer
Crushed, cleaned, and dried eggshells can be sprinkled directly on soil or boil larger, clean shells in a pot of water to create a natural liquid fertilizer. Of course, make sure your water is cooled before giving your plants a drink. 

Grow More Vegetables with Vegetables
Celery, lettuce, green onions, and carrots can all regrow in water. Place the root ends (cut side down for carrots) in a glass near sunlight and change the water every couple of days. In two weeks, you’ll have new growth ready for planting!
Tip: While you’re in the kitchen, take a moment to sort waste and recycle properly. Every bit helps!

D.I.Y All-Purpose Cleaner
It’s no secret that citrus is a powerhouse cleaning staple, so why not incorporate it into your own cleaning routine? Collect your citrus peels in a mason jar, cover with white vinegar, and let sit for 2 weeks. Strain the mixture with cheese cloth or a fine mesh strainer into a spray bottle and fill the remainder with distilled water (preferably). Avoid using on wood, marble, or granite due to the natural acidity.
TIP: Reuse an old empty spray bottle to reduce even more waste (be sure to clean it first.)

All-natural skin exfoliant
Collect citrus peels in a jar, cover with vinegar, and let sit for 2 weeks. Strain, dilute with water in a spray bottle, and you’ve got a fresh, natural all-purpose cleaner. Avoid on wood, marble, or granite.

By reframing how we view our food scraps and adopting circular economy practices, whether it’s turning them into vegetable broth, natural cleaners, or even plant fertilizer, we not only reduce waste but give our produce more life. So, the next time you're about to toss those vegetable scraps in the garbage or food waste, pause and give one of these ideas a try.

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